Category Archives: Economics and the like

A Bunch of Einsteins

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Ampersand

Another collaboration with Becky Hawkins! Becky writes: This cartoon was a fun mix of historical (Charles Kao! Theodore Maiman! Young Einstein at Friedrich Wilhelm University!) and fanciful (annnd the octopus is… watching YouTube! while doing dishes!). Barry’s script for panel 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like, science | 10 Comments

The Basic Barrier

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Ampersand

Another collaboration with the chicken-fat-mad Mike Lawrence! That trap-filled hopscotch board was entirely Mike’s idea. This is something I’ve suspected for a while—that the core reason many liberals don’t support a universal basic income (UBI) is that it just sounds … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 10 Comments

Those Poor, Poor Billionaires

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Ampersand

Drawing the “Muppet Gothic” in the background was so much fun! It’s funny when the extremist rhetoric I make up for my caricatures of rich right-wingers is less extreme than what some real billionaires say. In 2014, billionaire Tom Perkins … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 17 Comments

Good News About Work And AI!

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Ampersand

From a report in Fortune: AI is actually increasing strain for most employees, as the tools add more time to menial tasks, and actually takes away from deep-focus work. Since adopting AI into their workflows, time spent across every job … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | Leave a comment

The Business Genius

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Ampersand

Yes, this comic was inspired by evil non-genius Elon Musk. No one better epitomizes money cosplaying as competence. As Richard Carrier wrote: He fell ass-backwards into big money, and our system protects big money. …Literally everything he touches gets fucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Capitalism, Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 2 Comments

Two Quick Thoughts On AI Art and Artists

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Ampersand

I’m not as anti-AI as a lot of my cohort (lefty artists). I’ve never been morally against art made by remixing other artists’ work, so it’s hard for me to be angry at the “stealing” AI does to make images. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Economics and the like | 8 Comments

The AI Bubble

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is drawn by new guest artist Jamie Sale, who did a terrific job. I’d originally written the script so the camera would pan out until we saw that the speaker was in a giant bubble. Then I realized … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 14 Comments

Cartoon: Taking Away His Incentive To Work

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Ampersand

This cartoon is by me and Becky Hawkins. Becky writes: In some circles, Portland’s claim to fame, aside from “burned down by Antifa in 2020,” is the large number of people living on the streets. I think everyone agrees that housing … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 29 Comments

Cartoon: Keep Government Out of the Economy!

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Ampersand

That conservatives frequently call for reducing government interference in the economy, while constantly supporting government interference in the economy, is nothing new. But the particular story that galvanized this cartoon – Florida’s ban on “fake meat” back in May – … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like, Interviews, Mandolin, My publications, Patreon, Writing Advice | Comments Off